Stand for storing, indexing and displaying stock

ABSTRACT

An upright, multicompartment stand for storing, indexing and displaying stock having both open and closed sections. Preferably of frusto-conical form, circular in plan view and tapering toward the top, it affords access from all parts of its circumference and because of its conical design is economical in the use of floor area allowing of the closer spacing of units without impeding the easy movement of personnel thereabout. A suitable arrangement of compartments consists of four radially disposed rectangular sections in a cruciform relation each with a normally closed hinged door and alternating therewith four open sectorshaped sections. In turn, the closed rectangular and open sectorshaped sections are provided with shelves and furthermore the doors of the closed rectangular sections may each consist of a shallow cabinet with a hinged panel as a closure for its outer face, maximizing storage capacity and display area. Such a compact and versatile unit of four feet diameter and six feet in height with well planned spacing and dividing of shelves, drawers and bins is suitable for carrying stock in adequate quantities for community regional service being able to accommodate up to one thousand five hundred items of a progressive range of size, all indexed for stock control, and support a load of up to five thousand pounds.

United States Patent 1191 Burrell 1111 3,856,370 14 1 Dec. 24, 1974 STAND FOR STORING, INDEXING AND DISPLAYING STOCK [76] Inventor: Alfred A. Burrell, 10323 106th St.,

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 22 Filed: on. 19, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 407,830

[52] US. Cl 312/118, 108/94, 312/138 A [51] Int. Cl. A471 3/14 [58] Field of Search 312/117,118,125,126,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS,

763,291 6/1904 Klayman 312/118-, 993,240 5/1911 Gilbert 108/94 1,984,977 12/1934 Mize 312/138 A 3,538,863 11/1970 Howard et a1. 108/94 Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or FirmW. Irwin Haskett [57.] ABSTRACT An upright, multicompartment stand for storing, in-

dexing and displaying stockhaving both open and closed sections. Preferably of frusto-conical form, circular in plan view and tapering toward the top, it affords access from all parts of its circumference and because of its conical design is economical in the use of floor area allowing of 'the closer spacing of units without impeding the easy movement of personnel thereabout. A suitable arrangement of compartments consists of four radially disposed rectangular sections in a cruciform relation each with a normally closed hinged door and alternating therewith four open sector-shaped sections. In turn, the closed rectangular and open sector-shaped sections are provided with shelves and furthermore the doors of the closed rectangular sections may each consist of a shallow cabinet with a hinged panel as a closure for its outer face,

- maximizing storage capacity and display area. Such a compact and versatile unit of four feet diameter and six feet in height with well planned spacing and dividing of shelves,- drawers and bins is suitable for carrying stock in adequate quantities for community regional service being able 'to accommodate up to one thousand five hundred items of a progressive range of size,

all indexed for stock control, and support a load of up to five thousand pounds.

10 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures STAND FOR STORING, INDEXING AND DISPLAYING STOCK THE PRIOR ART Vertical merchandising cabinets are known, such as the circular unit shown in US. Pat. No. 3,538,863 provided with rotatably suspended, vertical, radially disposed partitions slotted to support removable trays or shelves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Display stands are extensively used and are recognized as a convenient and effective distribution medium, particularly in the promotion .of impulse sales.

Display stands presently in use perform the primary function of conveniently displaying merchandise and the fact that they may or may not provide for quantity storage is of secondary importance. Most stands are designed to accommodate products of a domestic nature and are confined to carrying specific and/or related items having limited scope in respect to range, size and weight.

Because of the need in some fields to stock a large inventory of items and parts of graduated size and shapes, a great deal of floor and shelf and drawer space is required and much time and effort is consumed in locating an ordered part. Attempts have been made-to economically store parts and'efficiently index stock yet without satisfactorily solving the problem. Neither has a circular storage and display stand been made available with fully useable arcuate shelves capable of supporting heavy stock items.

- SUMMARY It is an object of this invention to provide an upright stand for storing, indexing and displaying stock possessingvery substantial capacity and unusual versatility partitioned into a plurality of sections all accessible from the perimeter andselectably divisible to accommodate an almost infinite number of different items, in a wide variety of shapes and range of progressively increasing size, and aggregating a massive load.

A further object of the invention is to provide a storage, indexing and display stand as mentioned having both open and closed sections yet whose total perimetral area is utilizable for display.

A further object of the invention is to provide a storage, indexing and display stand of the character de-' scribed allowing for the complete indexing of a myriad of items for stock control.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a storage, indexing and and display stand that is of rugged construction and compact design and maximizes the use'of space.

To the accomplishment of these and related'objects as shall become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of' parts as shall be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be best understood and can be more clearly described when reference is had to the drawings forming a part of this disclosure wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one preferred form of the stand;

FIG. 2' is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a detail plan, with parts broken away, of the circular top of the stand;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section, on line 4-4 of of FIG. 2, showing details of the circular base;

FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse section on line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical transverse section on line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail of the level ad- I justing foot, as taken on line 77 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal transverse section as taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective elevation of the stand as seen at 45 from FIG. 2, with some parts removed;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views of shelves for the open, sector-shaped and closed rectangular sections, respectively;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a hanging leaf divider;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are side and end elevations of a stop;

of the foot FIG, 15 is a transverse section showing both a stop and leaf divider attached to a rectangular section shelf;

FIGS. I6, 17 and 18 are a plan view and side and front elevations respectively of a rectangular section shelf drawer;

FIG. 19 is a perspective detail of a cabinet-type hinged door for a normally closed, rectangular section of the stand;

FIG. 19A is an. enlarged sectional detail on line l9Al9A of FIG. 19;

FIG..20 is an enlarged sectional-elevational assembly detail of shelf dividers; and

FIG. '21 is an end elevation of a reinforced type divider.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the illustrated embodiment of the stock display stand, a circular base 1 is shown that is constructed of plywood, though other stout material may be used if desired, and is supported on vertically adjustable feet 2 mounted on the underside thereof. These feet 2, seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, each include a metal plate 3 attached to base 1 with depending threaded socket 4,,a floor pad 5 with a semi-spherical pocket 6 in its upper side, a companion, rounded head bolt 7 nested in the pocket and swivelable therein with its upstanding threaded stem screwed in the socket 4 and rotatable by a transverse pin 8 radiating therefrom, the bolt 7 being captured in the pocket by a centrally apertured disk 9 bolted to the top of the floor pad;

The arrangement of superposing partitions of the stand is defined by the base surfacing members and is seen clearly in FIG. 4 as comprising four rectangular base shelves I0 and four truncated sector-shaped base shelves 1 l. The rectangular base shelves l radiate out wards to the circumference of the base 2 in a cruciform design, leaving a square unoccupied space 12 at the center, and each has an upstanding flange 14 along opposite parallel sides. The sector-shaped base shelves ll alternate with the base shelves and fill in the four right angled sectors that remain, except that, being truncated, they allow the apex of the sector to remain uncovered. These sector-shaped base shelves 11 also have an upstanding flange 15 along each of the pair of opposite sides confronting and narrowly spaced from the continuous rectangular base shelf flanges l4. Across the back or inner edge of the truncated member the base shelf 11 has an upstanding flange 16 broken briefly midway of its ends. These base shelves are securely bolted to the plywood base 1 with their outer sides reaching to the circumference of the base and there covered by an overlying inwardly extending flange 17 of a skirt 18 that encircles the plywood base and depends therebelow.

Rising from base law the stands vertical partitions that divide it into circumferentially alternating rectangular and sector-shaped sections. A suitable partition may be formed of a panel 20 of metal e.g. No. 20-No. 24 gauge that tapers on its outer edge toward the top and has an inturned flange 21 on both front, outer and rear inner edges'The bottom edge of the panel extends from the rear of the base rectangular shelf 10 to the circumference of base 1 and fits snugly between the confronting flanges l4 and 15 of the base rectangular and sector-shaped base shelves l0 and 11 respectively, being securely bolted thereto. At its bottom outer corner the panel is notched to accommodate the base skirt flange l8 and the front edges of the base shelf flanges l4 and 15 are likewise cut back slightly for the same purpose. The inturned rear edge flanges 2l of each pair of panels standing at an angle of 90 degrees are nested and bolted together thus completing the cruciform arrangement of rectangular sections alternated with sector-shaped ones as appears clearly in FIG. 4.

A cap assembly as a counter part to base 1 may include a circular plate 22, approximately one-half the diameter of base 1 or less, with rectangular and truncated sector-shaped cap or shelf ceiling members 23 and 24 secured to said plate in registry with the corresponding underlying base shelf members 10 and 11 but with their spaced and confronting edge flanges 25 depending and similarly engaging opposite sides of the top edges of the panels 20 and securely bolted thereto. Overlying the cap plate 22 is a skeleton filler 26 and a top cap 27 secured thereon encircled by an upstanding cap band 28 with an inturned flange 29 that may be welded to the underside of the cap.

Thus is the upstanding, circular frame of this unique conical shaped stock display stand formed with its circular base and smaller circular top and tapering vertical partitions joined two by two at right angles by their inner edges to provide, between each panel of an angleconnected pair and the confronting panels of the next pair. spaced parallel walls of rectangular sections in cruciform arrangement alternating with sector-shaped.

sections each'outlined by an angle-connected pair of panels, all accessible from the perimeter of the stand. it will be noted that this sectioning of the stand leaves a square stack above the uncovered space 12 at the center that may accommodate an axially positioned post or pipe 30 running between the base 1 and cap plate 22 if the standloading requires the extra support. Furthermore, this square central stock has other uses as will later appear.

Resort may be had to various ways to treat and to divide the rectangular and sector-shaped sections. For efficient indexing, product identification and location and optimum product accommodation having regard to handling a wide range of items large and small and some of progressive size and weight, this stand has the panels 20 all perforated or otherwise prefabricated to carry detachable shelves adjustable to desired levels and selected spacing in both the rectangular and sector-shaped sections. In the latter sections it seems desirable-to cut off the inner apex area for which purpose a tapered backing plate 31 .is installed, having rearwardly extending flanges 32 on each vertical edge forming an angle of 45 with the back of the plate and a rearwardly disposed V-shaped groove 33 at its vertical median for increased rigidity. It rests on the sectorshaped base shelf 11 in advance of the flange 16 with its groove 33 projecting rearwardly through the midway break therein. The top of the plate 31 is trapped between the panels 20 and the rear of the depending flange 25 of the truncated sector-shaped shelf ceiling member 24.

Truncated sector-shaped shelves 35 of graduated size but all with opposite sides at right angles, the rear edge at an angle of 135 to the sides and arcuate front are provided with depending side flanges 36, a rear flange 37 and a front flange 38, as seen in FIG. 10. The rear flange 37 abuts the backing plate and the side flanges 36, with bevelled ends, have a pair of perforations 39 to pass the attaching bolts that extend through the panels 20 and a notch, 40 near the front on the lower edge to clear a bolt for the rectangular shelf of the adjoining section. Further, the shelf has a double row of aligned rectangular slots 41, set at one-fourth; one-third and one-half positions for shelf support dividers to be later mentioned.

For the rectangular section there are rectangular shelves 42 all of the same width but of graduated depth because of the tapering of the conical stand. Each rectangular shelf as seen in FIG. 11 has depending side and front flanges 43 and 44 respectively and an upstanding flange 45 at the rear. The side flanges 43, with bevelled ends, have a pair of bolt holes 46, one near each end, and an elongated notch 47 toward the rear on the lower edge to clear a bolt for the shelf 35 in the adjoining sector-shaped section. The rectangular shelves 42 have a double row of aligned rectangular slots 48 near the front'edge and three pairs of equally spaced perforations 49 near the front edge and three pairs of equally spaced perforations-49 to the rear thereof that are transversely and longitudinally aligned. In all cases the sector-shaped shelf 35 is attached byv bolts that lie ahead of the corresponding front and rear bolts supporting the rectangular shelf 42 in the contiguous section, with the notches 40 in shelf 35 passing the front bolt of the shelf 42 and the notch 47 of the shelf 42 passing the rear bolt of shelf 35. The elongated notch 47 in shelf 42 allows several rectangular shelves of one side to be used opposite dwindling size sector-shaped shelves 35 with the progressive rearward location of the rear bolt of the shelf 35. All bolts are in advance of the position of the backing plate 31 and all bolts extend through the panels from the rectangular section side so that the low profile projection of the bolt head is on the side of the rectangular section. On a rectangular shelf 42 at any one of the transversely spaced pair of perforations 49 a stop or bumper may be mounted, comprising an inverted channel 50 secured to the shelf by bolts 51 passing through holes drilled in the channel and said shelf perforations and a channel covering 52 of rubber or the like of substantially semi-cylindrical shape in end elevation, see FIGS. 13, 14 and 15. Two of these cushion stops or bumpers arranged transversely and spaced longitudinally of the shelf may serve to prevent a heavy gear or other circular item from rolling. From the under side of a rectangular shelf, a divider may be suspended having a rectangular top 53 from which a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally extending leaves 54 depend, the top 53 having spaced apertures 55 for registry with perforations 49 in the shelf 42.

Such a divider may be secured on the underside of a shelf by the same bolts 51 that attach a bumper on the upper'side thereof and serves to hold narrow unstable items in vertical transverly separated position.

. Drawers 56 may be supported on the rectangular shelves 42. These drawers as shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are of a height to fit between a vertically separated pair of shelves sliding on friction reducing ribs 57 on the bottom of the drawer and guide by spaced side ribs 58 that cause the drawer side to clear the heads of shelf attaching bolts passing through the partition panels. The mentioned height of the drawer is such that it slides outwards under the depending front flange 44 of the overlying shelf yet the front 59 of the drawer is raised above the sides so that it engages said depending flange 44 and stops the inward closing movement of the drawer. The back of the drawer has a rearwardly arching centrally disposed extension 60 that has a transversely spaced pair of wings 61 that rise slightly higher than the front 59 so that theirupper edges can have sliding engagement with the underside of the overlying shelf to eliminate tilt to the drawer on opening the same and their forward ends abut the rear'of the shelf's de pending front flange 44 to prevent the accidental withdrawal of a drawer. When a drawer is in closed position these rearwardly extending drawer stabilizing wings 61 may project into the centralsquare stack. A divider 62 of selected form may separate the drawer into such cubicles as desired while a nose drawer pull 63, recessed on the underside, may have a label'holding pocket on its front tapered face.

Instead of designating the alternating sections as sector-shaped and rectangular, they could have been termed open" and closed sections respectively since in some cases at least the rectangular sections will be normally closed by a hinged door. A door 65, as

seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 but removed in FIG. 9, is shown in a perspective detail in FIG. 19, being in the form of a cabinet. This composite cabinet door is the width of the rectangular section and runs for the height of the tapered side of the conical stand. The door comprises a back 66, sides 67 and a front closure display pane 68. Hinges 69 on theright side of back 66attach to the inturned front edge flange 21 of the panel on the right side of the rectangular section while hinges 70 on the front of the left side 67 carry the front closure display panel 68 of the door 65. Suitable separators 71 such as shelves, bins, or the like are arranged within the cabinet door, whose open front, at both top and bottom beyond the panel 68 are covered by arcuate nose pieces 72. If desired a chain may limit the opening of the door 65,

6 had another chain limit the opening of the display panel 68. By hinging the panel 68 on the side opposite the door hinges 69, the panel is restrained against swinging open when the door 65 is hinged into open position.

These doors 65 constitute a-significant feature of the stand, providing not only materially increased storage capacity and desirable esthetic qualities but presenting, especially as regards the front-closure display panels 68, such focal points of attention that their importance for merchandizing can not be over emphasized. The versatility of the display panel is unlimited, e.g. by forming this sheet metal member 68, see FIG. 19A, with a shallow forwardly extending flange 85 a few of the potential variations will appear. A selected number of perforations are provided in the side flanges and through these fasteners 86 either wood screws or bolts are passed to engage a selected facing element. If a wood panel were chosen it could fit against the display panel member 68 and be held by wood screws while a variety of facing elements may be individually or collectively secured by a moulding 87 attached by machine'screws passing through the spaced perforations in the flange 85. Of suitable material such as'aluminum,

plastic or the like, the moulding appears as F-shaped in cross-section having one groove 88 where it abuts the display panel and another or outer groove 89 spaced outwardly from the panel.- By utilizing'one or both-of these grooves all kinds of elements and/or devices may be carried such as /s inch or A inch peg board, plywood sections, fabric covered board, even plastic segmented bins, foam plastic, wood or plastic spacers of suitable width to separate the bins, etc. The illustrated facing element 90 is a piece of I 4 inch peg board rabbeted on its edges to fit into an approximately /a inch upper groove 89 which thereby supports it in spaced relation to the display panel v68 to allow for accommodation of the inner portion of mounting hooks or the like. By releasing the moulding on one edge, the facing element 90 can be easily changed or replaced and many different means can be used to mount packaged or independent products on the chosen facing.

Besides substantially increasing product accommodation, with particular regard for small items which may be carried on shelves, in bins or a variety of compartmented containers, the cabinet door provides a flat inside surface on the rear face of the back 66 and on the rear face of the front closure display panel 68 for stock control system information, price sheets and technical data while the front face of the hinged display panel is available for supporting special items being featured in advertising-- whereby the entire exterior of the stand serves for product display.

Because of the very heavy loading that this compact storage and display stand is designed to bear, additional structural support is-provided for the shelves. Already mentioned is the form of the rectangular closed section shelves 42 and the truncated sector-shaped open section shelves 35, each with a double row of aligned rectangular slots 48 and 41 respectively near their front edges 44 or 38. In size and spacing these rectangular slots are fashioned in the shelves to coact with the spe-.

cialthin flat, vertically disposed plastic shelf dividers rear the divider has a similarly spaced pairof projecting tongues 78 each followed by an inwardly extending rectangular notch 79. Each set of a tongue and notch registers with one of the shelf slots 41 and interlocks through the slot with companion set of a notch and tongue in the rearwardly offset divider rising from the next above shelf. The flexibility of the plastic divider can usually be relied on to allow the member to be snapped into and out of seating in the shelf slots. Where a particularly heavy load is to be carried, especially on a sector-shaped shelf, a reinforced divider 80 as seen in FIG. 21 may be preferred, utilizing one of the plastic dividers 75 but having a plain thin metal sheet 81 secured on each side thereof as by a spaced pair of transverse fasteners 82, for which purpose the regular divider 75 is provided with a suitably spaced pair of perforations 83. These versatile dividers increase the flexibility of product storage and display, allowing a wide choice of spacing arrangements and provide extra support strength for the shelves with little added weight or space occupancy. Furthermore, dividers may be pro- 'vided for either single or double shelf spacing. Vertical plastic dividers with no need of reinforcement and of simple form are useablc also in the doors 65 being modified as regards the location of their tongues for selective engagement in the slots shown in shelves 71.

' While the truncated sector-shaped shelves 35 are primarily intended for stocking flat circular or rectangular shaped packaged products they are no less suitable for accommodating segregated bins or bulk storage; such a bin of substantially the shape of its supporting shelf and readily removable for filling and/or cleaning is ideal for storing fasteners, and like bulk products associated with retail selling.

To maximize the usefulness and efficiency of the present stand for stocking hundreds of different items, careful indexing and the segregation and labelling of parts is essential. Mention has already been made of the rear faces of the hinged cabinetdoors and the front closure display panels on which stocked items can be listed and described together with their number identification, price and location symbol. For quickly locating a desired item, the 'stands symmetrical cruciform design incorporating four closed and four alternately positioned open sections provides eight sequential locations that may be designated alphabetically as for instance from A to H inclusive or the open and closed sections may be differently designated as well as the cabinet doors. Further, the shelves in each area are progressively numbered under the sectional designation, the shelves each having a flat depending flange across the front afford a ready space for label attachment in any desired manner. In like manner, divided shelves can have each compartment labelled and the multicompartmented containers are suitable for individually identifying the contents of each pocket.

The modular arrangement of the present construction lends itself to the construction of stands in a variety of configurations and to their more easy portability, e.g. the stand may be divided vertically down the center to enable it to be passed through a narrow doorway or an elongated or stretched version may be obtained by separating the stand in halves and inserting a straight section therebetween.

It is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. For storing, indexing and displaying stock, a stand of upright frusto-conical form comprising a horizontal circular base; a circular top of smaller diameter spaced thereabove; base surfacing members of alternate rectangular and truncated sector shape secured to the upper side of said circular base each with narrowly spaced upstanding side flanges; and vertical metal partitions arranged between said base and top; said partitions extending outward to the circumference of the stand with their lower edges being supported on said base and their outer edges lying at. an inclined angle tapering to said smaller diameter circular top and serving to define a plurality of sections being joined together at their inner vertical edges in right-angle relation to define a sector-shaped section and wherein the partitions are arranged parallel in pairs with each pair providing opposite sides of a substantially rectangular section with each partition of a parallel pair in association with the confronting partition of the next adjoining parallel pair providing the opposite sides of one of said sectorshaped sections, and wherein the lower edge of each vertical partition fits between a pair of the narrowly spaced side flanges of an adjacent rectangular and truncated sector shape base surfacing member and is secured thereto.

2. A stand according to claim 1, wherein said sectorshaped sections are open to the perimeter and said rectangular sections are normally closed being provided with doors each hingedly mounted at a side edge to the inclined outer edge of one of the respective vertical metal partitions.

3. A stand according to claim 2, wherein said hinged doors are formed as shallow cabinets open to the front with a closure panel for said open front hinged to the front of the door on the side of said door opposite that side hinged to the partition.

4. A stand according to claim 1, wherein said sectorshaped sections are truncated by a tapered backing plate at the rear of the section engaging the contiguous right angle connected partitions, said plate having a rearwardly bent flange on each vertical edge and a rearwardly displaced V-shaped groove at its vertical median.

5. A stand according to claim 1, wherein said sectorshaped and rectangular sections are provided with cor respondingly shaped shelves with flanges on back, front and both sides and disconnectably attached by their side flanges to the said vertical partitions by separate sets of non-aligned detachable fasteners, the fasteners for the shelves in the sector-shaped section lying outwardly of the fasteners for the shelves in the rectangular sections.

6. A stand according to claim 1 wherein the rectangular sections have vertically spaced horizontal shelves with an upstanding flange at the rear and a depending flange on the forward edge, and drawers slidably supported on said shelves with sides that pass under the depending front flange of an overlying shelf and a raised front that abuts the face of the flange and an elevated part at the rear of the drawer that abuts the back of the flange, said elevated rear part including a spaced pair of rearwardly extending wings that engage the under side of the overlying shelf to prevent tipping of the drawer when it is drawn forwards.

7. A stand according to claim 1, wherein the rectangular sections have vertically spaced horizontal shelves,

and bumpers arranged transversely of the shelves and bolted to the upper side thereof including an inverted channel with a rubber covering of semi-cylindrical shape.

8. A stand according to claim 1 wherein the rectangular sections have vertically spaced horizontal shelves, and a metal divider suspended from the underside of a shelf having 'a plurality of depending transversely spaced longitudinally extending leaves for holding narrow unstable items in vertical transversely separated position.

9. A stand according to claim 5, having shelf supporting dividers inserted between the vertically spaced shelves, each divider having at least one inwardly extending notch and correspondingly extended tongue on its bottom and on its upper edge for mateing with correspondingly configurated vertically aligned dividers above and below and said shelves having slots to pass said tongues for engaging with notches of the contiguous divider.

10. A stand according to claim 9 wherein the shelves have a double row of aligned rectangular slots near their front edge and transversely separated at predetermined spacings and wherein the tongues and recesses in the bottom and top edges are in reverse order and located further to the rear on the upper edge to compensate for the rearward stepping of the shelves as they progress upwardly in the tapering conical stand and wherein said dividers are reinforced for greater strength under vertical compressive force. 

1. For storing, indexing and displaying stock, a stand of upright frusto-conical form comprising a horizontal circular base; a circular top of smaller diameter spaced thereabove; base surfacing members of alternate rectangular and truncated sector shape secured to the upper side of said circular base each with narrowly spaced upstanding side flanges; and vertical metal partitions arranged between said base and top; said partitions extending outward to the circumference of the stand with their lower edges being supported on said base and their outer edges lying at an inclined angle tapering to said smaller diameter circular top and serving to define a plurality of sections being joined together at their inner vertical edges in right angle relation to define a sector-shaped section and wherein the partitions are arranged parallel in pairs with each pair providing opposite sides of a substantially rectangular section with each partition of a parallel pair in association with the confronting partition of the next adjoining parallel pair providing the opposite sides of one of said sector-shaped sections, and wherein the lower edge of each vertical partition fits between a pair of the narrowly spaced side flanges of an adjacent rectangular and truncated sector shape base surfacing member and is secured thereto.
 2. A stand according to claim 1, wherein said sector-shaped sections are open to the perimeter and said rectangular sections are normally closed being provided with doors each hingedly mounted at a side edge to the inclined outer edge of one of the respective vertical metal partitions.
 3. A stand according to claim 2, wherein said hinged doors are formed as shallow cabinets open to the front with a closure panel for said open front hinged to the front of the door on the side of said door opposite that side hinged to the partition.
 4. A stand according to claim 1, wherein said sector-shaped sections are truncated by a tapered backing plate at the rear of the section engaging the contiguous right angle connected partitions, said plate having a rearwardly bent flange on each vertical edge and a rearwardly displaced V-shaped groove at its vertical median.
 5. A stand according to claim 1, wherein said sector-shaped and rectangulAr sections are provided with correspondingly shaped shelves with flanges on back, front and both sides and disconnectably attached by their side flanges to the said vertical partitions by separate sets of non-aligned detachable fasteners, the fasteners for the shelves in the sector-shaped section lying outwardly of the fasteners for the shelves in the rectangular sections.
 6. A stand according to claim 1 wherein the rectangular sections have vertically spaced horizontal shelves with an upstanding flange at the rear and a depending flange on the forward edge, and drawers slidably supported on said shelves with sides that pass under the depending front flange of an overlying shelf and a raised front that abuts the face of the flange and an elevated part at the rear of the drawer that abuts the back of the flange, said elevated rear part including a spaced pair of rearwardly extending wings that engage the underside of the overlying shelf to prevent tipping of the drawer when it is drawn forwards.
 7. A stand according to claim 1, wherein the rectangular sections have vertically spaced horizontal shelves, and bumpers arranged transversely of the shelves and bolted to the upper side thereof including an inverted channel with a rubber covering of semi-cylindrical shape.
 8. A stand according to claim 1 wherein the rectangular sections have vertically spaced horizontal shelves, and a metal divider suspended from the underside of a shelf having a plurality of depending transversely spaced longitudinally extending leaves for holding narrow unstable items in vertical transversely separated position.
 9. A stand according to claim 5, having shelf supporting dividers inserted between the vertically spaced shelves, each divider having at least one inwardly extending notch and correspondingly extended tongue on its bottom and on its upper edge for mateing with correspondingly configurated vertically aligned dividers above and below and said shelves having slots to pass said tongues for engaging with notches of the contiguous divider.
 10. A stand according to claim 9 wherein the shelves have a double row of aligned rectangular slots near their front edge and transversely separated at pre-determined spacings and wherein the tongues and recesses in the bottom and top edges are in reverse order and located further to the rear on the upper edge to compensate for the rearward stepping of the shelves as they progress upwardly in the tapering conical stand and wherein said dividers are reinforced for greater strength under vertical compressive force. 